Reviews (108)

perelleth · 25 October 2005 · Chapter 23: What Can't Be Cured

I won't tire of repeating that I love how compassionate you are with all your characters. UNavoidable as all this is, everybody behaves with such dignity that it is impossible not to feel kind of the call of fate there, and bow to these brave people, bracing for their last stand, yet finding the strength to step forth for duty, even when everythng's lost. THey all have such dignity, and Radagast's coming is truly a ray of hope, of deepest hope for canohando, in the sense that his mission shall not fail, even if he and all his people and family are swept away. Very, very, very Tolkienish, jo, congratulations!

Rose Sared · 25 October 2005 · Chapter 23: What Can't Be Cured

And so the legends of brownies and so on. Nicely done, now all you have to do is get them to change everything in their way of doing things. Easy Very enjoyable-Rose

Bodkin · 24 October 2005 · Chapter 23: What Can't Be Cured

Good to see Radagast - and bringing some hope to the Orc, too. But it's a desperate situation.

Inkling · 24 October 2005 · Chapter 23: What Can't Be Cured

And so the Hobbits’ future has arrived. What would Frodo think indeed? It’s sad, but no more so than what we knew to expect from the very first passages of LOTR, “Concerning Hobbits.” The world truly seems more diminished with each passing Age, though…

demeter d · 20 October 2005 · Chapter 17: Captured

Concerning: where are there Hobbits today? i enjoyed the comment about your choir-master. But there are others. I heard a quote from the English Admiral Nelson, that his idea of the perfect infantryman was a sturdy Welshman about 5 foot 6 tall, a dwarf notion even if not a Hobbit;And, my own father's mother was a woman not even five feet tall, probably 80 or so pounds by time she died at 94. Her ancestors came from some of the little "Shire" regions of the British Isles, Yorkshire, Lancashire, etc. To the day she died she remained in her own home on her small farm. Looks were deceiving in her case, even though small she was a force to be reckoned with in our family. And, something I never tire of sharing. The american amination company Rankin Bass made, in the 70's and 80's, I believe, two cartoon movies released here in the U.S. The first one very nicely told the tale of "The Hobbit". The second was called "The Return of the King" and started with Gandalf and Pippin coming to Minas Tirith. Together with the uneven, regretable "Lord of The Rings" cartoon movie by Saul Zaentz, the three cover most of all four books. The end of "The Return" has Gandalf and the four Hobbits in Rivendell to see Bilbo on the way home. They discuss the elves leaving, and Bilbo and Frodo are invited at that time. One of the Hobbits, Sam, I think, asks Gandalf if there will still be room for Hobbits in the new world of men, as devoid of magic as it will become. Gandalf's answer, (definitely NOT book canon, but, I think, wonderful anyway) was that Sam is younnger than Frodo, and has grown larger than he. Merry and Pippin, also, are younger than Sam, and larger still. He said that as hobbits and men become more like each other as the ages rolled on, perhaps some day some adventurous young human would look in the mirror and ask, "I wonder if there is some Hobbit in me? Then the cartoon Gandalf looks straight at the viewer, and in actor John Huston's wonderful voice asks US, "Well, is there?" Those of us who love the old tales fervently hope so!

Raksha The Demon · 18 October 2005 · Chapter 22: Hope's Return

Radagast is back - hooray! I thought he'd gone to Valinor; but wherever he's been, he's a welcome sight here and now. I begin to see hope (?!)for Logi; if anyone can help him now, Radagast can, if his hands aren't already too full with hobbits and one tired Orc.

perelleth · 18 October 2005 · Chapter 22: Hope's Return

So Radagast is now in for redemption, too? Soooo good! (and if it is not him, it doesn't matter, following Arato let us say that Hope is always welcome, no matter how it clads herself...! ):-)

Inkling · 18 October 2005 · Chapter 22: Hope's Return

Radagast to the rescue, hurrah! As soon as I read: whatever was coming blended all too well with the brown soil and dead grasses, I guessed it would be him. :) Actually, I’d wondered about him before, and whether he’d sailed West at last. Wonder what the barbarians will make of him? Though I doubt even Radagast can turn this tide. Still, Hope is always needed… It’s fun how this story leaves one character for a while, then returns to him or her. I’m glad to see Frodo Miner pop up again! He reminds me more of Pippin than Frodo… esp. this line, which recalled Pippin in the siege of Minas Tirith: weary to death of waiting to find out, if they all were going to die.

Rose Sared · 18 October 2005 · Chapter 22: Hope's Return

Oh goody the good guy is here - almost forgot his redemption of the original Frodo - how wonderful to see him active again. Well done, great surprise. Rose

Song · 17 October 2005 · Chapter 22: Hope's Return

Oh, I'm glad! I was hoping Radagast would come. Things are looking up for Logi now.

Raksha The Demon · 16 October 2005 · Chapter 20: When Heroes Fall

This is so sad. We saw Osta born in THE QUEEN'S ORC, and we saw his end, in heroic battle fighting for the Shire. I'm almost afraid to follow this tale to the end, which I fear will be bitter, but it's too good not to. I feel like Canohando's an old friend; and I plan to stick by him. I just wish that he and his family, and his descendants, and the Shire, had more time - an Age was not enough.

perelleth · 12 October 2005 · Chapter 21: The False and the True

How lovely! Freiga's firm belief that Haldar is looking over them is so moving, as it is her stubborn faith and love for her orc! I love how yo mix these comforting chapters with the more tragic ones, jo, it reminds us that, as you put it, there's always light amidst darkness and even in the most dire situations. Freiga's sacrifice, however in her own -and their child's- interest, is moving, and I hope that she and the child will survive, no matter how bitter the aftermath can be....

Rose Sared · 12 October 2005 · Chapter 21: The False and the True

Oh dark, dark, dark. I find myself fearing for the baby, and wanting to slap Logi silly. Grrr. I hope we get some resolution soon, this is so tense. Rose

Bodkin · 12 October 2005 · Chapter 21: The False and the True

I started by skimming this because it was just too uncomfortable, but it is rapidly growing on me - as is Logi. But it doesn't seem likely that there is going to be a very happy outcome to the whole story.

Inkling · 10 October 2005 · Chapter 20: When Heroes Fall

Some great moments in this chapter…the charge of the hobbits into battle, for instance, led by Feldibar in his armor (wonder if it was Pippin’s?). Reminded me of Theoden at Helm’s Deep, saying something to Aragorn about it being better to die in battle than like a badger caught in a trap. Yep, that’s how The Took would want to go… And the scene with the old gaffer soothing the little ones with stories of Osta was a sad, lovely elegy for a gentle warrior. Ps--Recently re-read “The Long Home of Mortals” for the MEFAs…it’s hard to believe the same author wrote that story and this one! ;)

perelleth · 9 October 2005 · Chapter 20: When Heroes Fall

MErcifully brief and jolted, jo, ( in the best of senses, mind you)yet so powerfully described, the tide overcoming the damns and then nothing left to do, the men swarming and the hobbits making room, now intent on surviving them who began fighting for their place. Such a wodenrful tale of a long, unstoppable defeat, and I love the way everybody fulfils their duty with the simpolicity that comes when things come to their bitter end. And yet what most moved me was the way the old hobbit praised OSta. It was a god way to show what the guardians had meant to the LIttle Folk, and how worth of their courage their hobbits were. So moving! Sigh!

Rose Sared · 8 October 2005 · Chapter 20: When Heroes Fall

And so they fight another long defeat, huh? Spellbinding writing Jo, as ever. Where will you go with this tale now? Dont care I will read and enjoy. Great ride you have taken us on. Rose

Cuthalion · 8 October 2005 · Chapter 20: When Heroes Fall

The closest warriors shouted and pressed forward, but they were driven back by a phalanx of mounted Hobbits, their arrows flying as they charged ahead, and Feldibar in the lead. He alone, of all of them, wore armor, and above his head he brandished a naked sword. Twice the blade flashed down, and rose again; then it rose no more, and Canohando lost sight of the Hobbit paladin. You know I told you before, but this was the moment when I burst into tears during the read of this chapter. This moment was so intense, strong and heartbreaking that I could see it in front of my inner eye. The imagination of the Tooks, riding out into their last battle like the Rohirrim in Helm's Deep completely blew me away. It was a moment of true, grim heroism. Brava!

demeter d · 7 October 2005 · Chapter 20: When Heroes Fall

Wow! this whole story has had me holding my breath. This chapter, I think, puts where you are going into focus. Malawen lived throuygh the ending of one era, andd now forsees the end of another. Yet, even though the light of Lorien faded, the light of Iluvatar remained in other places. It will be indeed interesting to see how you lead your people through this darkness into a new light. As you always do in your stories. Your stories always have been filled with light. Now with their beloved first=born gone, Canohando and Malawen will be depending on Arato and their other children even more. I wait eagerly for next chapter!

Inkling · 4 October 2005 · Chapter 19: Realities

What a great chapter! I’m getting quite fond of Arato, and I love his exchange with his mother here. It’s starting to look as though he is the hobbits’ best hope for survival, if the Guardians are defeated...and old Hodfast is pretty shrewd too. Saw your note about more angst around the corner…uh oh. Not looking good for the Tooks and Canohando, is it? *braces self*

perelleth · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 18: Retribution

Oh my! I had missed this one! I'm shocked! I must ponder this, but it was powerful! Wow!

perelleth · 3 October 2005 · Chapter 19: Realities

I like Arato, so calm and even tempered, and cold reasoning! HE looks more elvish than his mother! :-) YOur hobbits are so hobbity either! The offhanded way in which the MAyor says that they razed their city while eating! :-) LOL! and his solidarity as chief... I loved that. Hard decisions, and good that there's someone who can read Canohando's mind and act as he would, despite the prize to be paid. I loved it when he didn't react to his mother's accusation! Yep, like him. Not the least because what he sayd of Gil-galad, ;-) This was a good, comforting chapter in the midst of such anguish jo!

Rose Sared · 2 October 2005 · Chapter 19: Realities

You get the strain of family relations so well, trying to relate to people that we know a well as we know ourselves - or at least think we do. He is remarkably patient that son of hers, any child of mine would be stamping and swearing, just as stubborn though. I enjoyed this chapter - especially how you made the smail disappear - very well done. Rose

Inkling · 24 September 2005 · Chapter 18: Retribution

Wow. This story is not for the faint of heart, is it? But Canohando is right…death by the sword would be too easy a punishment. He can see clearly that Logi’s self-torment is worse than anything he can inflict; the retribution he finally does devise is just, and probably even welcomed by Logi. And yet, pity is a factor in his decision, and perhaps even the desire to give his grandson a chance for redemption. Moreover, the recognition that the darkness lives still in himself no doubt inspires mercy in Canohando. And as Tolkien has shown us, mercy can have unlooked-for consequences…

Rose Sared · 23 September 2005 · Chapter 18: Retribution

I got to the end of this almost panting, I had forgotten to breathe! My goodness you do write 'dramatic'well, I am so impressed. Gory, appropriate punishment, although it turns the stomach. Good on ya, Freiga, a proper woman for Logi. Great tale well told. Rose